Any Cold Weather Vinyl Siding Tips

Looks like we might be in for a brutal winter here in Central MO. We have several small vinyl siding jobs and so I was looking for tips you have learned over the years to make the job go smoother.
I have one:
Close in an area with housewrap and use a kerosene heater to warm up the siding sitting on saw horses (gotta kinda keep an eye on things so it doesn't go up in flames, use plenty of common sense).
Do you have any?
Thanks,
Dave

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Re:
Any Cold Weather Vinyl Siding Tips

The only advice I can give is just don't do it You'll make alot of scrap. Upsell fibercement But seriously alot of your custs are going to have to be on a saw. I never tried this but someone told me to try using a cutoff wheel instead of a saw blade for the cleanest cuts.

Re:
Any Cold Weather Vinyl Siding Tips

we work all winter long. Pretty much have to cut every panel on the siding saw as the snips will crack the panels. Make sure you tip your staging planks over at night. try to do dormers and high areas before you get snow. Clean up really well every night so you don't have to go clean everyones yard in April and make sure you leave extra room for expansion.

__________________
Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

Re:
Any Cold Weather Vinyl Siding Tips

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

The only advice I can give is just don't do it You'll make alot of scrap. Upsell fibercement But seriously alot of your custs are going to have to be on a saw. I never tried this but someone told me to try using a cutoff wheel instead of a saw blade for the cleanest cuts.

we use a plastic/laminate blade in our saw works great.

__________________
Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

Re:
Any Cold Weather Vinyl Siding Tips

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick

this spot here got a little hairy in the ice and snow

Patrick, It's obvious you guys do work in plenty of ice and snow. I've heard of that, sawing your cuts in the winter instead of snips. So far we haven't had to do that but we will on the next one cause it is really supposed to buckle down next week.
The one we did today we got 3/4 done and the lady got home and did not like the color she had picked (small job). She agreed to pay us to remove it and re-side with something else so we froze our butts for little today. First time that has happened but we got it worked out. I had everything documented so it was her decision to make. It do put a damper on the day.
Hey what happened to the politics and religion board? Is it gone?
Thanks guys for offering your ideas!!
Dave

Re:
Any Cold Weather Vinyl Siding Tips

Quote:

Originally Posted by Home Serve

The one we did today we got 3/4 done and the lady got home and did not like the color she had picked (small job). She agreed to pay us to remove it and re-side with something else so we froze our butts for little today. First time that has happened but we got it worked out. I had everything documented so it was her decision to make.
Dave

As soon as I sign a house I nail two full panels on the house so they can make sure they like the color. since we are months and months out its like my signature when you drive around and see houses with two panels nailed on them.

__________________
Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

Re:
Any Cold Weather Vinyl Siding Tips

It was 28 degrees today with a stiff north breeze and we were still cutting with sharp snips. Had to be pretty careful but it worked. J was a little more tricky. Supposed to be 5 degrees on Monday morning tho so that will be it for the snip routine. In fact we won't get out there at 5. I like to see at least a 25-30 degree high for vinyl. Start a little later in morning or do prep or something first AM.
Have good weekend,
Dave

Re:
Any Cold Weather Vinyl Siding Tips

Did some siding last week and it was 0-5 degrees plus wind chill. We have so much work we cant wait till it warms up, so we just suck it up. If you can keep your trim warm you should be fine. As far as siding panels go you should be able to cut with snips if they are sharp. Good luck.

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Any Cold Weather Vinyl Siding Tips

ive started to carry a old heat gun in the truck in the winter not so much to heat the plastic but to warm my numb fingers with me my fingers get very cold the first thing in the morning i think the coated gloves i use hold the cold in but it seems like once i get the numb out there fine the rest of the day

Re:
Any Cold Weather Vinyl Siding Tips

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jlubb

Did some siding last week and it was 0-5 degrees plus wind chill. We have so much work we cant wait till it warms up, so we just suck it up. If you can keep your trim warm you should be fine. As far as siding panels go you should be able to cut with snips if they are sharp. Good luck.

Good to hear someone is busy! That's some pretty cold temps for vinyl siding. Good luck to you!

Re:
Any Cold Weather Vinyl Siding Tips

i use my sawbuck to cut the panels , cuts fine in cold temps , as for when cutting angles a nice sharp pair of snips help cut through better , i tend to rub the area put a lil friction over the troubled areas the lock portions ect .. if it gets to the point where thay keep breaking time to go home or do something else .. your prob just wasting time and materials

Re:
Any Cold Weather Vinyl Siding Tips

Quote:

Originally Posted by Home Serve

Looks like we might be in for a brutal winter here in Central MO. We have several small vinyl siding jobs and so I was looking for tips you have learned over the years to make the job go smoother.
I have one:
Close in an area with housewrap and use a kerosene heater to warm up the siding sitting on saw horses (gotta kinda keep an eye on things so it doesn't go up in flames, use plenty of common sense).
Do you have any?
Thanks,
Dave

This is not really a cold weather tip, but it is a way to get perfect centering with vertical siding on an upper gable, where you have one of those fancy attic vents, and it really shows up if the siding is not centered. Plus this method is really easy once you get started. Note: You will need one sheet of hor. siding in the same color: The key to starting in the center: Instead of starting with a sheet of vert. siding, you actually start with two pieces of starter, made up from hor. siding in the same color.

Measure out the length from gable peak to your bottom J, or whatever trim you use. Mark it with your level. Cut 2 pieces of horizontal siding this length. Mark out a line on both pieces 1 1/4" below the nailing strip lip. Reverse the 2 pieces and slip the cut edge of one piece under the lip of the other. you now have a piece of two way starter Cut it into the right length above and below the vent. You can now start installing the siding from the center both ways. One caution, be careful that the sheet on each side of center is clipped in, you may have to fight with one side where the material is doubled up.
I usually use ladder jacks, and planks right across the gable, and you're always cutting 2 pieces (or more) the same length, but moving in opposite directions. Happy installing, bet it's not as cold there as it is up here in the center of the continent. I have a cladding job in progress, with 5 windows done and 6 to go, it's been too cold to work for over 2 weeks.

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Re:
Any Cold Weather Vinyl Siding Tips

Rather than trying to spring a really short panel in place between two J channels or a corner post. leave the top of the J channel loose so you can rotate it to insert your short panel then slide it down and lock it to its installed location. Those foot long or less panels are a PITA otherwise.

Re:
Any Cold Weather Vinyl Siding Tips

use a paneling blade in backwards or a masonry blade to melt the siding instead of cutting it. before you rip the last piece of siding on an eave, run your hands down the length of the siding where you plan on cutting it a few times to warm it up. Make sure you use a sharp knife. Same for j-channel when you back bend it for a tighter fit, make sure its warm. Whatever you do, DON'T hit your fingers when nailing.

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